O.C. RELIGION | ORANGE COUNTY FILE

St. Margaret Invites Community for Rector's Installation

St. Margaret Church of Scotland Episcopal Church will open its doors to the community Sept. 30 for the installation of the Rev. Robert Edwards as rector.

Edwards, ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1989, served three years as chaplain of St. Margaret's Episcopal School and as rector of Christ Church in Redondo Beach, coming to St. Margaret as rector-elect in August 1999.

The 4 p.m. installation service, led by Bishop Coadjutant J. Jon Bruno, will include the Holy Eucharist and presentations by local dignitaries and various church organizations. A free public reception will follow.

St. Margaret is at 31641 La Novia Ave. off Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano. Information: (949) 661-0110.

Events

The Interfaith Council of Central Orange County will host high school students Sarah Alam and Aaron Szekel speaking on "Student Perspectives on Religious Prejudice" from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Congregation B'nai Israel. The congregation is at 2111 Bryan Ave., Tustin. (714) 730-9693.

"Did Judaism Become Sick?" is the question Rabbi Bernard King will pose at Sabbath services at 7:30 p.m. Friday. King will examine whether synagogues should strive to become reflections of universities or humble reflections of God's spiritual light. The Jewish Education for All Program, a community-based special education program, will begin classes Sunday. Shir Ha-Ma'alot is at 3652 Michelson Drive, Irvine. (949) 857-2226.

St. Irenaeus Church will offer Bible study on Mark and Luke from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. and from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 7. The teaching team includes the Rev. Reynold Furrel, the Rev. Simon Kim, Emilie Kua and Carol Koppenheffer. Suggested donation is $10. Child care will be available. There will also be a monthly Catholic Update "Refresher" series from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Sundays. Cost is $5. The church is at 5201 Evergreen Ave., Cypress. (714) 826-0760.

Singer and songwriter Julie Silver will be in concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at Temple Beth David. The concert is part of "Hear the Music," a family event beginning at 12:30 p.m. In addition, there will be a kids' auction, a barbecue lunch, desserts, crafts, a raffle and a live auction. A "Tot Shabbat" service for children ages 2 to 6 will be at 9 a.m. Sept. 16. Temple Beth David is at 6100 Hefley St., Westminster. (714) 892-6623.

First Baptist Church will welcome its new senior pastor, Vic Gordon, to its pulpit during services at 9 and 10:35 a.m. Sunday. Gordon comes from Wichita, Kan., where he was senior pastor of First Baptist Church for 12 years. The church is at 17415 Magnolia Ave., Fountain Valley. (714) 847-3573.

Rabbi Arnold Rachlis and Cantor Ruti Braier will lead the service "What's the Difference: Comparing Reconstructionist Judaism to Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Judaism" at 8 p.m. Friday at the University Synagogue, Reconstructionist Congregation. The talk will explore such issues as God, observance, reward, punishment and free will. The synagogue is at 4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine. (949) 553-3535.

United Methodist Church of Garden Grove will host a New Life celebration for the United Methodist Church Santa Ana District youth from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Standford Youth Park, which is behind the church. The theme will be "The Church Now." The church is at 12741 Main St., Garden Grove. (714) 534-1070.

Rabbi Jossi Mentz will speak on "The Origin, Use and Insight of the Shofar" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Temple Isaiah of Newport Beach. There will be a hands-on training of the making of a shofar. Cost is $10 for members and $12 for others. The temple is at 2401 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach. (949) 548-6900.

The Calvary Church Women's Ministries Fall Kickoff and Ministry Fair will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Calvary Church of Santa Ana. Speaker Kelly Clauss will give the message "Hear God's Voice." The church is at 1010 N. Tustin Ave, Tustin. (714) 973-4800.

Debbie Briggs will present her "PlayLoveLive" seminar "Build Your Life With Intuition" from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Seal Beach Church of Religious Science. Tickets are $40 and reservations are required by Wednesday. The church is at 500 Marina Drive, Seal Beach. (562) 598-3325.

Sheikh Salah Kuftaro, chief advisor and counsel to the Grand Mufti of Syria, will be the Rev. Robert Schuller's guest during services at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at the Crystal Cathedral. Schuller recently spoke to more than 17,000 Muslims at the Abu Nour Mosque in Damascus, Syria, at the invitation of Grand Mufti Kuftaro. The church is at 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove. (714) 971-4069.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church will celebrate summer's end with Homecoming Sunday at 9 a.m. Festivities include a Festival Eucharist with brass ensemble and full choir, followed by a Program Faire and an all-parish picnic. The church is at 1221 S.E. Wass St., Tustin. (714) 544-3141.